Posted: March 18, 2000 at 08:30:03: by Sean
: : Again, there is no suggestion on the part of Tolkien that any of his characters finish up in Heaven or Hell, nor is there any plan of salvation.: : Hence I reject the original statement. : Actually I think that's one of the srongest themes: Labor and trials and good deeds done. the heroes (some anyway) retire to the land beyond the sea, presumably to live forever in bliss. :: Valinor was not Heaven, simply the home of the Valar, which lasts as long as the World lasts. The Elves went there, not as a reward, but as the only place where they could endure their immortality. In his letters, Tolkien made clear that any mortal who travelled to Valinor would eventually die. Sean
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